◼ Some of Humboldt State University's student Republicans feel like minorities on campus, and are asking the university to change its nondiscrimination policy to include ideological views. = Donna Tam/The Times-Standard 11/03/2008
”The point is that everyone should be getting a chance to be heard,” said Jerilyn Gashi, president of the HSU College Conservatives, formerly the College Republicans. “Too often, the definition of diversity ends at a certain list. It should be extended to everyone, Republicans included.”
The club is asking HSU to amend the university's nondiscrimination policy to include a clause prohibiting discrimination on the basis of ideological view or affiliation with major political parties.
”I am a minority on this campus,” Gashi said. “I routinely get shot down when I'm trying to speak.”
Gashi said she personally experiences harassment because of her political affiliation every week.
...While she knew HSU was a liberal school, Gashi, a music student from Colorado, said she came here to study with a specific professor.
”I didn't know quite what I was getting myself into,” she said.
Gashi said she recognizes that most public college campuses are more politically left-leaning.
“It's fine as long as it doesn't interfere in education,” she said, adding that professors are letting their political views seep into the classroom.
”I see it as a real case of hypocrisy, because at the same time we are promoting diversity and listening to people of different backgrounds, but they don't want to hear about my background,” Gashi said.
